British boxing star Amir Khan has admitted his life may be in danger after he spoke out against the Taliban on the eve of a trip to Pakistan.
The Bolton fighter is an iconic sporting personality in Pakistan with both his parents coming from the sub-continent.
Khan, 28, was deeply affected by the atrocity at the army school in Peshawar, which saw 141 massacred, the vast majority of whom were children.
Fresh from his WBC welterweight win over Devon Alexander in Las Vegas last weekend, the boxer has vowed to return to his roots to help in any way he can.
Khan said: "I will be going to Pakistan between Christmas and New Year.
“Talking about this stuff could be threatening for me, but I just want to speak the truth and tell people what is happening is wrong.
“I would not consider cancelling the trip, you can’t hide away.
"Look, everything is in God’s hands and you cannot hide away from life. If something is going to happen it will happen.
“Everything is written for you, I believe, and you just have to go out there and do what you have to do and carry on with your life. You cannot let things like this stop you.
“I think it’s more important now than ever to go over there. I think it will send a statement to a lot of people that Amir Khan is going there to make a difference.
"I want it to be a better country. It’s just a shame – I cannot believe how sick some people are.”
Extra resonance was given to the tragedy as Khan has became a father for the first time in May, when his wife Faryal Makhdoom gave birth to their little girl, Lamaisah.
The Bolton fighter is an iconic sporting personality in Pakistan with both his parents coming from the sub-continent.
Khan, 28, was deeply affected by the atrocity at the army school in Peshawar, which saw 141 massacred, the vast majority of whom were children.
Fresh from his WBC welterweight win over Devon Alexander in Las Vegas last weekend, the boxer has vowed to return to his roots to help in any way he can.
Khan said: "I will be going to Pakistan between Christmas and New Year.
“Talking about this stuff could be threatening for me, but I just want to speak the truth and tell people what is happening is wrong.
“I would not consider cancelling the trip, you can’t hide away.
"Look, everything is in God’s hands and you cannot hide away from life. If something is going to happen it will happen.
“Everything is written for you, I believe, and you just have to go out there and do what you have to do and carry on with your life. You cannot let things like this stop you.
“I think it’s more important now than ever to go over there. I think it will send a statement to a lot of people that Amir Khan is going there to make a difference.
"I want it to be a better country. It’s just a shame – I cannot believe how sick some people are.”
Extra resonance was given to the tragedy as Khan has became a father for the first time in May, when his wife Faryal Makhdoom gave birth to their little girl, Lamaisah.
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